Train drivers from Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) are due to participate in a three work stoppage during morning rush hour this Friday, affecting passengers who use Irish Rail’s Dart and Commuter service between 6am and 9am.

Talks on pay and productivity proposals at the WRC broke down last week.

The industrial action is planned for Friday, 23 October, at the start of the Bank Holiday Weekend and there will be a second day of action on 6 November.

However, the NBRU has said this evening that they have accepted a request from the WRC to attend discussions there tomorrow from 2pm.

“We have accepted the invitation on the basis that the full complement of issues associated with the Productivity agenda, inclusive of previous contributions of train drivers will be addressed,” Dermot O’Leary, general secretary of the NBRU, said.

"There is an expectation from our members that their issues will be given the same consideration as those of the Company,” he added.

A spokesperson for Irish Rail also confirmed they had accepted the WRC’s invitation to attend the “facilitated talks on productivity issues” in an attempt to “avert industrial action”.